Updated 6-21-21. Many Notaries have contacted the NNA with urgent questions about performing remote online notarization. To help you, we’ve provided answers to some of these questions below. The NNA will continue to update this article as we receive new information and updates.
What states allow Notaries to perform RON and are fully set up to perform remote notarizations?
The following states have enacted and fully implemented permanent remote online notarization laws and/or rules: Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, Nevada, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. South Dakota has enacted RON laws, but South Dakota limits RON to notarizing paper documents only. As of June 2021, the following states have also enacted permanent notarization laws: Alaska, Hawaii, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and West Virginia.
But I’ve heard that other states are allowing Notaries to perform RON or other remote notarizations because of the coronavirus emergency?
That is correct. Due to the stay-at-home orders issued in many states and the Centers of Disease Control social distancing guideline of keeping 6 feet apart from another person, additional states have issued temporary authorizations for Notaries to perform RONs, remote ink-signed notarization (RIN) or other remote communication options for notarizations. These authorizations are issued through a Governor’s executive order, emergency rules and official guidance. The states with temporary authorizations to perform RONs are Alabama, Connecticut, Delware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wyoming. Notaries in these states must follow any rules set by the governor or state commissioning officials for these emergency authorizations. Rules for each of these states (and states with different emergency guideline alternatives to in-person notarizations) can be found in our article on state Notary emergency COVID-19 measures or at the NNA's State Notary Law Updates database. Please note that you must follow any guidelines set by your state to perform RON.Services such as Skype or Facetime may not be used as a replacement for RON technology guidelines mandated by state emergency orders. (This is a rapidly developing story and we are in the process of updating the map below with the latest information. — The Editors)
Do I have to register to perform RONs?
It depends. States that have passed RON laws typically require a Notary either to register with the commissioning official (Florida, for example) or obtain a special commission (Texas, for example). To register or obtain a separate commission to perform RONs, a Notary must submit an application to the commissioning official. You may also be required to submit information about the technology you will use to perform RONs, such as any digital certificates you purchase or any RON platforms you use. More information is available here.
In some states with temporary authorizations issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, no registration or separate commission is required.
What technology will I need perform RONs?
For states that have RON laws and rules, you will likely need to use a dedicated remote online notarization platform. A list of RON platform providers with links to their websites can be found in this article.
For states that have set up emergency RON or alternate Notarization rules for the coronavirus crisis, follow the guidelines provided in your state’s emergency orders. Some of these states do not require Notaries to use a RON platform.
How much does it cost to register for a RON platform?
That depends on the individual provider. You will need to contact the RON providers you are interested in to request pricing information. Please keep in mind that due to the current COVID-19 emergency, the RON platform providers may not be onboarding new Notaries or there may be a delay in doing so. But one provider announced it is adding Notaries from certain states.
Where can I perform RON? Can I travel outside my state to perform RON notarizations?
You can only perform a RON while physically located in the state where you hold a commission. You may not perform a RON while you are located out of the state where you have been commissioned.
Can I register to perform RON through the NNA?
The NNA is not a remote notarization platform provider. However, we do offer digital certificates issued by IdenTrust and electronic seal images, which can be used with some RON platforms. Before purchasing, please check with the platform provider you'll be working with to verify that you may use the digital certificate offered by the NNA with their system.